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All Ages Programs
At Springbrook Nature Center, there is something for everyone! We have regular programming that is great for adults, kids and families. No experience is needed for any of our programs - we'll teach you everything you need to know!
- Outdoor Adventures
- Nature Out of the Box
- Friday Night by Firelight
- Animal Feedings
- Bird Banding
- Photo Club
- Saturday Hike with a Naturalist
Outdoor Adventures
This private program series is for small family/friend groups consisting of no more than 9 people. There is no age limit for this program, but a parent/guardian must be in attendance for all registrants under the age of 18. Whether you are 5 for 50, we will create an adventure for your group. The program will be entirely outside and will begin at our picnic shelter.
Fees and Availability
Fees: $50, up to 9 people total, regardless of age. Availability: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 11:30 am and 2 pm - 3:30 pm.
Topics
Explore the topics and choose what is best for you! If you don’t see what you’re looking for, give us a call and we will help you build your own adventure!
Survival
See if you have what it takes to build a shelter from scratch and start a fire without matches!
Archery
Learn the basics of archery starting with what came before the modern bow.
Pond Exploration
Learn about the wetlands of Springbrook from inside them! Whether you dip in a hand or jump in with both feet we’ll get an up-close view of our ponds and the creatures inside them.
Insect Discovery
Dive into the secret world of insects within Springbrook’s Prairies. We’ll get up close to the diverse world of insects and how they color our landscapes.
Build Your Own Adventure
If your interests don’t fit any of the adventures above, we’ll work with you to build an adventure that fits your interests.
Booking Your Program
Are you ready to get started with your Outdoor Adventure? Call the nature center at 763-572-3588 and book your program today! Time slots are limited, don’t wait.
Programming Guidelines and Procedures
Click here for the guidelines being used to develop programs with the latest guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control.
Nature Out of the Box
We’d like to shake things up and get you started on a new adventure, NATURE Out of the Box.
With this new program, you can gather up your friends and family and go on your own nature adventures, with non-contact support from your friendly, neighborhood naturalists.
Purchase NATURE Out of the Box and get all this:
- A Box filled with 4 nature adventures for the whole family, including the supplies you will need and some instructions for how to do each activity
- Access to online content by SNC Naturalists just for you
- Naturalist-curated supplies to enhance your time outdoors
- Tips and tricks for how to include everyone, from toddlers to grownups
The boxes will be available for pick up at the nature center building (daily 9 am – 5pm) from the 15th of each month through the end of the month. You MUST pay for your box in advance by the 1st of the month.
All this can be yours for $50! And if you are one of the first 10 registrants, you will receive a BONUS item specially selected for this month’s adventures.
Click this link to register for your OCTOBER box TODAY!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I do the activities somewhere other than Springbrook Nature Center?
A: Of course. This box has activities that you can do at Springbrook or somewhere else, or both!
Q: Do I have to return the box?
A: Nope! The box and its contents are yours to keep. We hope that you will do the activities over and over again.
Q: Should I purchase one box for my family, or one per person?
A: The box contains enough activities and supplies for a family group to use. You may want to share the equipment with one another, or do multiple activities at the same time. We suggest one box per family.
Q: Do I have to order the box in advance?
A: Yes, you must purchase your box by the first of the month. Pick up your box at Springbrook Nature Center beginning the 15th of the month. That time in between gives us enough time to get and organize your supplies.
Q: Will there be more boxes?
A: Yes! We already have plans for our next box! There will be brand new activities in next month’s box. We pride ourselves on making sure there are activities for different interests as well.
Friday Night By Firelight
Fridays in September 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Bring some chairs or a blanket to sit around the NEW Pavilion Activity Center for an evening of entertainment with various performers for three Fridays in September.
Registration is required for this program to maintain adequate distancing of groups.
September 11th - Wolves, Coyotes, and Foxes, OH MY! with The Wildlife Science Center
Join us this evening as we learn about the lives of the wolves, coyotes, and foxes that call Minnesota home from the people who know them best. The Wildlife Science Center is devoted to the Preservation, Conservation, and Education of Minnesota's wildlife and is home the the nation's largest captive wolf pack.
September 18th - Will Hale and the Tadpole Parade
Will Hale offers fun entertainment for kids and families! Kids are the rock stars. When they clap, dance and sing with Will Hale, the king of rocking air guitar. The kid tested, parent approved and teacher recommended concerts of Will Hale and the Tadpole Parade create a fun atmosphere filled with plenty of audience participation, excitement and energy.
September 25th - Teddy Roosevelt - The Wilderness Warrior
President Roosevelt’s conservation leadership preserved and expanded a national treasure that continues to grow even today, our National Parks. People begin a journey led by President Roosevelt as they hear a story of a bed ridden, sickly young boy who reads picture books on nature and hear the story firsthand of what inspired him to become a naturalist. They learn about the political system and how Roosevelt changed it to meet the needs of the wilderness and the people. Along the journey, they see the places Roosevelt saw and helped save, and the people who helped him. People experience the sounds of the forest and learn to understand why these wild places are so important to continue to protect.
Animal Feedings
Sundays
This public program is cancelled for the time being, but if you happen to be visiting you may catch a glimpse of the frogs, toad or salamander being fed by Naturalist Dina.
Update: As of July 14, 2020 the restrooms in and Interpretive Center will be OPEN from 9am-5pm daily. Restrooms are sterilized once daily. Trails are open, but we ask that you practice social distancing when in the park. Any updates to the closure will be posted on our website and Facebook page.
Have you ever wondered how snakes eat, what’s for breakfast when you’re a turtle, or how a salamander finds a meal? This is the program for you. Watch our exhibit animals enjoy a delicious meal while a naturalist explains their feeding behaviors and taste preferences. Experience the predator-prey relationship in front of your eyes!
There is no charge to attend this program.
Springbrook's Bird Banding Programs
Update:
Bird banding programs have been cancelled until further notice.
As of June 20, 2020 the restrooms in the Interpretive Center will be open from 9am-5pm daily. Restrooms are sterilized once daily. The exhibit area of the Interpretive Center is open in a limited capacity. Trails are open daily. We ask that you practice social distancing when visiting Springbrook. Updates will be posted on our website and Facebook page.
| 2020 Dates | Start Time |
|---|---|
| January 5 | 7:30 a.m. |
| February 2 | 7:30 a.m. |
| March 1 | 7 a.m. |
| April 5 | CANCELLED |
| May 3 | CANCELLED |
| May 17 | CANCELLED |
| June 14 | CANCELLED |
| June 28 | CANCELLED |
| July 19 | CANCELLED |
| August 9 | CANCELLED |
| August 23 | CANCELLED |
| September 20 | CANCELLED |
| October 25 | CANCELLED |
| November 15 | CANCELLED |
| December 13 | CANCELLED |
| 7:30 a.m. |
Photo Club
7-9 p.m., once a month
Update: Photo Club is cancelled until further notice. As of June 20, 2020 the restrooms in the Interpretive Center will be open from 9am-5pm daily. Restrooms are sterilized once daily. The exhibit area of the Interpretive Center is open in a limited capacity. Trails are open daily. We ask that you practice social distancing when visiting Springbrook. Updates will be posted on our website and Facebook page.
Do you enjoy nature photography? Photographers of all levels and ages welcome to attend this free program!
Discuss photos, new equipment, gear, photography issues, and possible upcoming photography opportunities.
Each meeting has an "assignment," or topic of focus given for the next month’s meeting. Participants are welcome to bring a thumb drive with 5-10 pictures they have taken, usually based on the assignment but not required to be. The pictures are projected on a large screen and discussed. Monthly assignments vary, topic examples include: depth of field, photography issues, "frozen," "spring," or "water". There is a bias toward nature in our subjects, but other picture subjects are welcome as well.
Meeting generally take place on the forth Thursday of each month, at 7 p.m. at Springbrook Nature Center.
Upcoming Dates:
- Please check back at a later date. Photo Club is currently cancelled until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Saturday Hike with a Naturalist
One Saturday a month, leaving at 10am sharp
Get an insider view of the park as you hit the trails with one of our Naturalists.
This is a free program, open to all ages. Donations are welcome.
*The walk will go rain or shine. Cancellations due to hazardous weather will be posted on the website calendar and our Facebook page.
Upcoming Dates:
March 21, 2020 - CANCELLED
April 18, 2020 - CANCELLED
May 23, 2020 - CANCELLED